151 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A gentle[1] tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.[2]

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.

20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.

27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes[3] the bones.

31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success[4] in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh[5] and refreshment[6] to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin[7] of the wicked, when it comes, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[8] when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, 32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. 33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.[9] 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get[10] disgrace.